Ukraine’s Oldest University: Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

Located in the heart of Kyiv’s historic Podil district, this 3-storey circular building is known by students at the Kyiv Mohyla Academy as the Compass Building. Yet a century ago, this was just a one-storey structure housing an array of shops. The central section, that now serves as the main entrance, used to be the base of the bell tower of the Bratskyi Monastery.

In the year 1615, alongside the monastery, a school was opened. In the mid seventeenth century, the school became Ukraine’s first University — the Kyiv Mohyla Academy. Its oldest surviving building is named after Ivan Mazepa, who commissioned it’s contruction. Everything about it is imbued with legends — even the 2-century old bars on the windows. Alongside the Mazepa Building, one will find the Annunciation Church. It’s history dates back almost 300 years. Ornaments from that time can still be seen on its walls.

Meanwhile, the impact of Soviet-era in the 20th century can be seen on the facade of what is known as New Academic Building. In communist times, the original 19th century open bible mosaic was altered.

Every generation of students that studied in these walls over the past 400 years has been enriched the history of Ukraine’s oldest university.